A fascinating insight into Thai fishermen’s life
(VOV) - Located 330km southeast from capital Bangkok, Nam Chieo village in Trat province offers community-based ecotourism services at reasonable prices.
The village is home to large numbers of Buddhist and Muslim communities.
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The village, a low-land area surrounded by mangrove forests, is an ideal destination for those looking for real life experience with local fishermen. |
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| In the heart of the village is a canal flowing down into the Gulf of Thailand, and from here local fishermen set off to go to the sea for fishing. |
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| Tourists often choose homestay at THB200 (around US$7) per person per night (excluding meals) or an extended package with meals over 2 days and 1 night at THB900 (US$28) per person. Training courses are held frequently to equip local people with key skills to guide tourists. While on land, tourists can hire bicycles and motorbikes to tour around the village, or learn how to cook local dishes and make local candies, cakes or handicrafts such as palm hats… |
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| Tourists can also enjoy swimming, boating around mangrove forests or to the Gulf, planting forest, and sometimes collecting garbage in the river. Nam Chieo has successfully maintained and improved their mangrove ecosystem to prevent natural disasters. These activities have received strong support and engagement from local households and schools. |
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| During school breaks, children in Nam Chieo village prefer guiding tourists around the village. They are good swimmers. |
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| A boat trip offers tourists a chance to see tour guides take a dive and catch some jellyfish, squid, octopus, and bivalve mollusks such as mussels and oysters, some of which can hardly be found outside Thailand. |
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Last but not least, after the trip tourists can enjoy dishes prepared by Thai Buddhist and Muslim chefs. Besides the hospitality of Nam Chieo villagers, local dishes are too good to miss for many foreign guests. |
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| Nam Chieo’s community-based ecotourism development and management has been recognized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand as an exemplary model of its type. |